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Accounts Payable Officer - Job Opportunity at Deakin University

Geelong, Australia
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: May 26, 2025
On-site
AUD 80,199 - 89,950 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive superannuation package at 17% which significantly exceeds Australia's mandatory 11% rate, providing enhanced retirement security and positioning this role competitively in the higher education sector
Fixed-term employment until July 2026 offering job security and predictable income stream in an uncertain economic climate
University campus environment providing access to educational resources, professional development opportunities, and collaborative academic atmosphere
Waterfront campus location in Geelong offering premium working environment with scenic views and modern facilities

Key Responsibilities

Execute comprehensive accounts payable operations across a multi-campus university system, ensuring accurate financial transaction processing that directly impacts the institution's fiscal integrity and compliance with government audit requirements
Manage high-volume transaction processing within strict month-end deadlines, demonstrating ability to maintain accuracy under pressure while supporting the university's financial reporting obligations
Lead stakeholder relationship management with external suppliers and vendors, conducting statement reconciliations and resolving payment disputes that protect the university's vendor relationships and credit standing
Deliver strategic customer service excellence to internal departments, providing financial guidance and policy interpretation that enables smooth university operations and faculty satisfaction
Navigate complex international banking regulations and currency management including forward contracts and hedged funds, contributing to the university's global financial risk management strategy
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the finance division, identifying process optimization opportunities that enhance operational efficiency and reduce processing costs

Requirements

Education

Completion of a Degree without subsequent relevant work experience; or Completion of an Associate Diploma and at least two years subsequent relevant work experience; or Completion of a Post-Trades Certificate or Advanced Certificate and extensive relevant experience as a Technician; or An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

Experience

At least two years subsequent relevant work experience (with Associate Diploma) or extensive relevant experience as a Technician

Required Skills

Strong knowledge of standard procedures for processing invoices, payments, and reconciliations Understanding how to support internal and external stakeholders with inquiries and issue resolution related to payments Experience in a large organisation with established financial systems and procedures Digital savviness and attention to detail Problem solving abilities Customer interaction strengths
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Higher education institutions are increasingly digitizing their financial operations through enterprise systems like WorkDay, creating demand for finance professionals who can adapt to cloud-based ERP platforms and automated workflow processes. This shift is accelerating post-COVID as universities seek operational efficiency and remote capability. The Australian higher education sector is experiencing financial pressure due to reduced international student enrollment and government funding changes, leading to increased focus on cost management and financial process optimization. Universities are consolidating finance operations and seeking multi-skilled professionals who can handle diverse responsibilities. Regulatory compliance in the education sector is intensifying with stricter audit requirements and transparency mandates, creating demand for accounts payable professionals who understand both commercial and public sector compliance frameworks.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of AUD 80,199 - 89,950 plus 17% superannuation is competitive for entry to mid-level accounts payable roles in regional Australia, approximately 15-20% above market rate for similar positions in private sector due to higher education sector premium and comprehensive benefits package.

Role Significance

Typically part of a 5-8 person accounts payable team within a larger finance division of 20-30 professionals, working collaboratively with procurement, budget management, and financial reporting teams across the university system.
This is an entry to mid-level professional role within the university's finance hierarchy, reporting to senior coordinators and requiring independent judgment in transaction processing while having escalation support for complex issues. The role carries significant responsibility for financial accuracy but operates within established procedures.

Key Projects

Implementation and optimization of WorkDay financial modules and workflow processes Month-end and year-end financial closing procedures Vendor master data management and supplier relationship initiatives International payment processing and currency risk management projects Financial process documentation and compliance audit preparation

Success Factors

Mastery of WorkDay ERP system functionality and workflow optimization to enhance processing efficiency and reduce manual intervention requirements Development of strong stakeholder relationship management skills to effectively communicate with diverse university departments and external vendors while maintaining service quality Building expertise in international finance regulations and currency management to handle the university's global supplier base and research collaborations Continuous improvement mindset to identify and implement process enhancements that reduce costs and improve accuracy in high-volume transaction environments

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand exists for accounts payable professionals in the education sector, particularly those with ERP system experience and ability to handle complex international transactions, as universities modernize their finance operations.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

WorkDay ERP proficiency is essential as this platform manages all university financial operations, and expertise in this system creates significant career advancement opportunities within higher education and corporate sectors adopting similar technologies International payment processing knowledge is crucial given universities' global supplier base and research collaborations, requiring understanding of banking regulations, currency management, and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions Stakeholder management capabilities are vital for success as the role interfaces with academic departments, researchers, administrative staff, and external vendors, each with different priorities and communication styles

Beneficial Skills

Process improvement and lean methodology skills would be valuable as universities increasingly focus on operational efficiency and cost reduction in competitive education markets Data analytics capabilities using Excel or BI tools would enhance ability to identify trends, reconcile complex accounts, and support strategic decision-making in finance operations Knowledge of government and grant funding compliance requirements would be advantageous given universities' reliance on public funding and research grants with specific reporting and audit requirements

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work with complex international financial transactions including currency hedging and forward contracts, providing exposure to sophisticated treasury management practices typically found in large multinational corporations
Integration with academic and research funding cycles creates unique challenges in budget management and compliance with grant funding requirements from government and international sources
WorkDay ERP implementation represents cutting-edge financial technology adoption in the education sector, offering valuable experience with cloud-based enterprise systems
Fixed-term contract until July 2026 provides clear timeline and potential for permanent conversion based on performance and university needs

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior roles occurs within 2-4 years with demonstrated competency in ERP systems and process management, with potential for team leadership roles within 3-5 years in the higher education environment.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Accounts Payable Officer or Team Leader roles within 2-3 years Accounts Payable Supervisor or Coordinator positions managing teams and processes Financial Analyst roles in budgeting or management accounting Procurement or Contract Management positions leveraging vendor relationship experience ERP System Administrator or Business Analyst roles in finance technology

Company Overview

Deakin University

Deakin University is one of Australia's largest and most progressive universities with over 60,000 students across multiple campuses in Victoria. Established in 1974, it has rapidly grown to become a significant player in Australian higher education with strong industry partnerships and innovative teaching approaches.

Ranked in the top 2% of universities globally and consistently rated as a leading young university, Deakin maintains strong market position in the competitive Australian higher education landscape with particular strength in business, health, and technology education.
The Geelong Waterfront Campus represents Deakin's flagship regional presence, serving as a major economic and educational anchor for the Geelong region while maintaining strong connections to Melbourne's business community and international markets.
University environment emphasizes collaboration, diversity, and continuous learning with strong job security, comprehensive professional development opportunities, and work-life balance typical of the higher education sector, though with increasing performance expectations as the sector becomes more competitive.
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